Versatile saddles
#1
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Thread Starter
Versatile saddles
considering picking up a nice saddle that can be used on road bikes and off road bikes. a great all purpose saddle that can be swapped between rides. i know very little of what's out there, but have considered a classic leather Brooks for at least road bikes. any ideas/guidance?
#2
Grupetto Bob
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The very first question about saddles on BF. This should be interesting.
Personally, I removed the saddle years ago and never missed it.
Personally, I removed the saddle years ago and never missed it.
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#3
Full Member
I just slowly ease into longer rides and my butt/taint adapts. I also ride the largest tire I can in each frame in the back which helps absorb road imperfections and allows me to use sub-optimal saddles.
Admittedly every once in a while I encounter a saddle that gives me the tingles, and that can be fixed by minor nose down adjustments. I am a cheap saddle guy.
Admittedly every once in a while I encounter a saddle that gives me the tingles, and that can be fixed by minor nose down adjustments. I am a cheap saddle guy.
#4
Newbie
One choice is Brooks Cambium. My most comfortable saddle that is versatile and doesn't require attention like Brooks leather. But reviews are mixed between it being comfortable and painful.
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#5
The Wheezing Geezer
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If I were SMP, I'd trademark the term 'crotch cradle'.
Their TRK model suits my aging undercarraige in a Medium on my drop-bar bikes, and a Wide on my upright bikes.
Their TRK model suits my aging undercarraige in a Medium on my drop-bar bikes, and a Wide on my upright bikes.
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#7
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The notion of swapping a saddle from bike to bike regularly doesn't have much appeal.
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#8
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Takes me a little time, whenever I put a saddle on a bike, to get the tilt and forward/aft position just right. I ride both on and off road, and can't think of a saddle that would suit both. The Terry Butterfly that was prev. mentioned might do, but have never tried one. But even if I found one that worked for both, still don't think I'd be happy switching back and forth, and getting adjustment just right. May not be cheaper, but so much easier just to have a dedicated saddle to each bike.
#9
Senior Member
Saddles are a very personal fit item. I often find that a saddle I hate on one bike feels great on another. I saw an interview with a bike fitter yesterday and he was saying the Brooks works much better on an upright bike than on a road bike. I have a Brooks but haven't grown to love it yet.
#10
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Swapping saddles back and forth, between bikes, is a pain. Maybe okay if the framesets have the same geometry and seat post diameter, do the post and saddle as a unit.
For me, different saddle for each bike. I have a few of the same brand, but different models. The more switching done between bikes, the more chance of error
For me, different saddle for each bike. I have a few of the same brand, but different models. The more switching done between bikes, the more chance of error
#11
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#12
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I do have a limit! Use the same water bottles and Wahoo on all bikes.
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#13
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I have that unicorn saddle, in fact, I have two. They’re Forte Pro SL saddles, 145 mm with ti rails, and unfortunately they don’t make them anymore. I have one on a roadie, and the other on my mtn bike. I should’ve stocked up when Performance Bike went under.
What I wouldn’t do is swap them back and forth.
What I wouldn’t do is swap them back and forth.
#14
considering picking up a nice saddle that can be used on road bikes and off road bikes. a great all purpose saddle that can be swapped between rides. i know very little of what's out there, but have considered a classic leather Brooks for at least road bikes. any ideas/guidance?
#15
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considering picking up a nice saddle that can be used on road bikes and off road bikes. a great all purpose saddle that can be swapped between rides. i know very little of what's out there, but have considered a classic leather Brooks for at least road bikes. any ideas/guidance?
But that was 20+ years ago. And I had two saddles -- no swapping.
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I don't, and never have, made any meaningful distinction between on- and off- road saddles. There are small features, like edge scuff protection for MTB saddles, but that's pretty small potatoes stuff, IMO. The only real feature I'd consider today, depending on what kind of off road riding I'd do, is nose length. I don't think I'd want a short-nosed saddle for steep trail climbs where I'm balancing keeping traction and keeping the front wheel down; that little stability you get from perching on the nose of the saddle has been a savior when grinding it uphill in places like Moab and Holy Cross. Also, if you wanna do suicide no-handers off flat drops, having some saddle nose to clamp your thighs onto helps.
Other than that, though, I don't think there's much in the on/off road saddle thing other than aesthetics.
Other than that, though, I don't think there's much in the on/off road saddle thing other than aesthetics.
#18
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What saddle does your rear end like and how does your position on the different bikes change? Those are the questions you need to answer and one that we cannot answer at least not the first question and not the second question without lots of info about the bikes.
I do not recommend sharing a saddle between bikes I have done that and it is a pain in the butt (LOL) If you love a saddle get a second one of it assuming the riding position is similar and if one is more upright than I might consider possibly a wider version of that saddle or something similarly shaped but maybe a touch wider as needed.
The saddle that works for me may not be the saddle the works for you. I really love my Brooks Cambium C17s and my Ergon saddles but you have a different butt than I and so does everyone in this forum aside from maybe some identical twins who do everything the same.
I do not recommend sharing a saddle between bikes I have done that and it is a pain in the butt (LOL) If you love a saddle get a second one of it assuming the riding position is similar and if one is more upright than I might consider possibly a wider version of that saddle or something similarly shaped but maybe a touch wider as needed.
The saddle that works for me may not be the saddle the works for you. I really love my Brooks Cambium C17s and my Ergon saddles but you have a different butt than I and so does everyone in this forum aside from maybe some identical twins who do everything the same.
#21
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Let's not forget also that Brooks makes a wide (pun intended) range of saddles. The B17 is what people commonly refer to, but there are also much wider seats (B68, B72) and narrower (B15, Professional.) I don't fit a B17 on my road bikes but the Professional fits well. And a B68 was fabulous on an upright folder.
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A friend suggested a WTB Pure V for my mtb. I then tried one on my road bike and it stayed there for some years.
I’ve moved on to an SMP Well on my road bike.
Both saddles have the whale tail and beak nose. And a channel can be the difference between extreme pain and passing out on a mis-timed move on a hard tail.
It is personal preference.
John
I’ve moved on to an SMP Well on my road bike.
Both saddles have the whale tail and beak nose. And a channel can be the difference between extreme pain and passing out on a mis-timed move on a hard tail.
It is personal preference.
John
#23
Senior Member
Let's not forget also that Brooks makes a wide (pun intended) range of saddles. The B17 is what people commonly refer to, but there are also much wider seats (B68, B72) and narrower (B15, Professional.) I don't fit a B17 on my road bikes but the Professional fits well. And a B68 was fabulous on an upright folder.
I have a B17 and I might like it, but the short section of possible adjustment has caused me to need a set back seat post on the bikes I've tried it on. I keep finding myself mostly trying to sit on the very rear of it and the rivets aren't very comfortable.
#24
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I don't agree with this. I have a Brooks Professional on my Paramount (te racing version) and I have Idéale saddles on many of my other bikes, with both racing geometry and more relaxed touring setups. They all are fine for support. (And comfortable to boot.)
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#25
The bike fitter was saying the leather hammock type saddles didn't have enough support for a high saddle low bars situation like on an aggressive road bike. I have no idea. He may have just hated Brooks. I mean how much support does a 120 lb. guy need?
I have a B17 and I might like it, but the short section of possible adjustment has caused me to need a set back seat post on the bikes I've tried it on. I keep finding myself mostly trying to sit on the very rear of it and the rivets aren't very comfortable.
I have a B17 and I might like it, but the short section of possible adjustment has caused me to need a set back seat post on the bikes I've tried it on. I keep finding myself mostly trying to sit on the very rear of it and the rivets aren't very comfortable.